EAGAN, Minn. — Garret Dooley spent the past three seasons working his way up from special teams contributor to a starting linebacker spot at the University of Wisconsin.
All the while, Dooley focused on the three principles preached by the Badgers — being smart, tough and dependable.
Those pillars could also apply to what Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer wants in Minnesota, where Dooley just wrapped up rookie minicamp with the Vikings this past weekend.
Although Dooley went undrafted in late April, he jumped at the chance to work with Zimmer and his son, Adam, the Vikings linebackers coach.